In April, the CLS Board made the decision to proceed with the recommended final dividend for 2019 of 5.05 pence per share, given the Group's strong cash position and resilient tenant base. In September, the Group will pay an interim dividend for 2020 of 2.35 pence per share, which is at the same level as the 2019 interim dividend. Any full year dividend increase will be assessed with the final dividend.
Other financial highlights include:
EPRA NAV up 3.2% and EPRA NTA up 3.1% primarily through increased EPRA earning
Profit before tax down 62.8% to £31.5 million (30 June 2019: £84.6 million) from lower investment property valuation uplift of £2.7 million (30 June 2019: £36.9 million) and uplift on our equity investment in Catena (30 June 2019: £23.6 million), sold in September 2019
EPRA EPS up 16.7% from higher net rental income and foreign exchange. Statutory EPS down 68.5% from the above lower comparative valuation increases
Total accounting return of 4.6% (30 June 2019: 7.3%)
